Under the direction of Head Coach Erik Ieuter, the Muskingum football team will look to build on their solid season last fall. The Muskies kick-off their 2022 campaign when they travel to take on Ferrum in nonconference action.
Last season, the Muskies finished 5-5, their first five-win season since the 2003 campaign. Along with that, Muskingum also finished in the top half of the OAC standings for the first time since 2009. Building on this momentum, the Muskies look to continue their record-breaking play into the 2022 season.
Leading the Muskies will be their four captains; senior quarterback Jordan Garrett, senior wide receiver Zuri Edmondson, senior linebacker Tristan Howell, and sophomore linebacker Austin Willforth. Garrett, a two-time captain for the Muskies, rewrote the record books a season ago with his stellar play. Garrett was named the OAC Offensive Player of the Week three times last year, and started all 10 games under center for Muskingum. Last season, Garrett tallied school records in passing yards (2,323), passing touchdowns (20), passing attempts (333), passing completions (194), touchdowns in a game (7), and total offense (2,429 yards). Edmondson also enjoyed a record-breaking season last year, including a D3football.com Team of the Week nomination for his standout performance in Muskingum's win at Capital. Against the Comets, Edmondson set the school record for receiving yards in a game with 266, the school record for receptions in a game with 17, and he also tied the school record for touchdown receptions in a game with three.
Howell, a first-time captain for Muskingum, started in six games last year. In just six games, Howell recorded 53 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions including a game-sealing pick in Muskingum's 33-31 win over Ohio Northern. Willforth will also serve as a first-time captain for Muskingum this year after competing in eight games during his freshman season. Willforth tallied 29 tackles and two tackles for loss to help guide Muskingum's defense.
Along with the four captains, Muskingum also returns a solid core of last season's offensive and defensive standouts. Senior running back Donny Wilkinson, senior wide receiver Ja'Lin Goodman, senior running back Justin Bell, senior offensive lineman Josiah Leasure, senior offensive lineman Brian Maxwell, senior offensive lineman Ben Kuntz, senior offensive lineman Wes Woodie, senior offensive lineman Kevin McIntire, senior quarterback Doug Crawford, junior tight end Gannon Unger, junior wide receiver Travis Roberson, and junior wide receiver Travanti Keitt will all look to make a big impact on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, senior linebacker Gavyn Freeland, senior defensive lineman Jamar Hicks, senior linebacker Matthew Gedson, senior defensive lineman Terry Williams, senior defensive lineman Sean Andor, and junior defensive back Devin Roebuck will look to make a big impact for the Muskies this season.
The Muskies open their season on Saturday, September 10, when they travel to Ferrum for a nonconference matchup. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Muskingum will open OAC action on Saturday, September 17, when they host Capital. The game also marks Muskingum's 100th Homecoming and the grand-opening of the Bullock Health and Wellness Complex. Game time at the BHWC is set for 7:00 p.m.
All home games will be played on Sherman Field at the BHWC and will feature an HD video stream accessible through the OAC TV app and on fightingmuskies.com.
